Spurs notebook: Duncan doesn’t expect to miss much time

Spurs captain Tim Duncan does not expect his sore left knee to keep him on the sidelines for long.

Duncan, who sat out Wednesday’s victory over the Hornets, said he fell on the knee during Monday’s 90-85 victory over the 76ers in Philadelphia. Though he was able to finish that game, he said the knee stiffened after a four-hour post-game flight back to San Antonio.

The Spurs play at Dallas on Friday, and point guard Tony Parker hinted that Duncan won’t be available for that game.

“We’re going to play without Timmy (against Dallas),” he said, “so we’re going to have to be ready.”

Acting coach Mike Budenholzer, who took over on the Spurs bench because Gregg Popovich was ill, said Duncan was officially day to day.

“Pop and our organization is always going to err on the side of being cautious in protecting him,” he said. “So the little bit I know, I don’t think it’s real serious or a long-term thing.”

When Duncan learned Popovich would not be on the bench for Wednesday’s game he joked that he would suit up and play, just for the shock effect.

“I’d love to see his reaction to that,” he said, laughing.

Another Aussie import: Finally signed to a Spurs contract on Wednesday, Australian big man Aron Baynes awaits final approval of a U.S. work visa that will allow him to suit up for the team, perhaps as soon as Friday against the Maveicks.

A 6-foot-10, 260-pounder who last played for Union Olimpija in the Slovenian Basketball League, Baynes also played with the Australian Olympic team last summer in London that was coached by Spurs assistant Brett Brown.